About
I am passionate about appreciating every person. My practice is neuroaffirming, a strengths-based approach where I recognise and appreciate neurodivergence.
During my 4 years at Children’s Autism Foundation in Auckland I supported families and autistic children.
I moved to Nelson in early 2020 and worked for Autism New Zealand supporting clients in Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough. In Sept 2021 I began my own practice as an autism coach.
During my 4 years at Children’s Autism Foundation in Auckland I supported families and autistic children.
I moved to Nelson in early 2020 and worked for Autism New Zealand supporting clients in Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough. In Sept 2021 I began my own practice as an autism coach.
Training
I have a Bachelor in Arts (Honours). I went back to university as an adult and completed a Graduate Diploma in Arts majoring in Psychology at Massey University in Auckland.
I have learned most from autistic adults and children. Their insights and shared experiences help me add to my understanding. I am a life-long learner and have completed autism related courses with Tony Attwood and Michelle Garnett, Sue Larkey, Sally Rogers, Le Va, Talklink, Hanen More Than Words, Mind Over Manner and many others. I am a qualified Triple P Stepping Stones facilitator and I'm a qualified H.A.P.P.Y. Coach (Peter Vermeulen's programme). I have completed courses on PDA (which I see as Pervasive Drive for Autonomy, rather than pathological demand avoidance) in more recent years and have worked with many pda'ers. All strategies I use are evidence-based and I stay up to date with the latest research on autism.
I have learned most from autistic adults and children. Their insights and shared experiences help me add to my understanding. I am a life-long learner and have completed autism related courses with Tony Attwood and Michelle Garnett, Sue Larkey, Sally Rogers, Le Va, Talklink, Hanen More Than Words, Mind Over Manner and many others. I am a qualified Triple P Stepping Stones facilitator and I'm a qualified H.A.P.P.Y. Coach (Peter Vermeulen's programme). I have completed courses on PDA (which I see as Pervasive Drive for Autonomy, rather than pathological demand avoidance) in more recent years and have worked with many pda'ers. All strategies I use are evidence-based and I stay up to date with the latest research on autism.
Philosophy
To me, autism is a different way of thinking, processing and experiencing. As a coach I can help those around the autistic person understand and learn, as well as working directly with the child/teenager/adult to support them with tools and strategies. I help them understand their strengths and accommodate their unique needs.
I understand that it can be challenging for autistic people to live in a society that seems to cater mostly to "neurotypicals". Let me help improve your quality of life.
Neurodiversity (lots of different brains, including autistic) are what we need in society, thinking outside the square, coming up with different ideas and ways of working, appreciating different things in life.
We can all learn from each other, every day.
I understand that it can be challenging for autistic people to live in a society that seems to cater mostly to "neurotypicals". Let me help improve your quality of life.
Neurodiversity (lots of different brains, including autistic) are what we need in society, thinking outside the square, coming up with different ideas and ways of working, appreciating different things in life.
We can all learn from each other, every day.